PASCO COUNTY, FL — A Florida Department of Transportation Road Ranger was killed Sunday night after being struck by an impaired driver while assisting at the scene of a crash on Interstate 75, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:28 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2026, near mile marker 274 on I-75. Troopers said FDOT Road Rangers had responded to a two-vehicle crash to assist with traffic control. While one Road Ranger was on foot setting up a lane closure, an Acura MDX drove between the two Road Ranger vehicles and struck him.
The victim, a 24-year-old Brandon man, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Acura, Darren Christopher Jenkins, 40, of Bradenton, was taken into custody by Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Investigators said Jenkins provided a breath sample measuring 0.334, more than four times Florida’s legal blood alcohol limit of 0.08.
Jenkins was arrested on a charge of DUI Manslaughter and transported to the Pasco County Jail. The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
